Joy Louise Spey
Tying instructions:
- Attach thread at the eye and wind to tag position.
- Tag - Attach the cable to the underside of the hook shank at the head and wind down to a point above and just a cable width short of the point of the hook. Wind thread back toward the hook's eye for a distance equal the barb to point measurement. Tag proportion should be the same as the hook barb to point measurement, for this hook 5mm. Allow excess cable to hang without tying off for future use as the rib.
- Body - Attach under hook shank right next to the hanging tag cable material and wrap toward hook eye for a distance of 6mm. Tie in the hackle at this point. Now finish wrapping body to the head. At this point in construction we have the tag cable still hanging down and the feather is tied in about mid body with the body material tied off at the head. Now wrap tag cable material for the rib over the body to the head. Two winds of cable should bring it to the feathers stem on the under side of hook so that it comes out just ahead of it and continues for three more wraps to the head tie off point. Should be a total of five wraps or body segments created by the ribbing.
- Hackle - Measure from head to hook point for proper beard feather length. Tie off white thread and change to the black thread for the remainder of the fly.
- Side Wing - The grooming of the side wing feather is a very important aspect of its construction. Each barb must be side by side in it's natural position and then pulled back against the normal natural position for a length equal to the fly's body. Use moisture to help hold the feather in this position and place feather on top of hook. Make slight adjustments as to position and now peel feather off its center stem. Pull wings down and bring thread over to hold it in a slightly downward position.
- Spey Wing - Mount the wing strips over an under wing that smooths the surface foundation area for the wing proper. Lacquer head and it's done.